Results for "Toronto"

Jesse Ryan

Saxophonist and composer Jesse Ryan grew up in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago surrounded by a rich heritage of music. Perhaps, it’s no surprise that he has steadily earned his place as one of Trinidad’s bright, young stars, being the grandson of one of the islands’ calypso veterans, Clifton Ryan, aka the “Mighty Bomber”. Jesse is the 2020 recipient of the Toronto Arts Foundation’s Emerging Jazz Artist Award - an award that puts a spotlight on emerging jazz musicians with a keen sense of the grand tradition behind jazz music, while putting their own stamp on the genre and the Toronto music scene with their unique style and approach

The Aubrey Wilson Quartet

In many ways, Aubrey Wilson was born to be a musician. Growing up, Wilson was immersed in jazz, soul, and show tunes without even knowing it; her father, a singer, was part of a successful barbershop quartet, which toured across Canada and the United States. Being around so much music – and accompanying her vocalist father to many of his shows – Wilson developed a natural affinity for performing. In addition to singing, she danced from a young age, performed with her high school jazz band, and, when deciding on her post-secondary education, elected to attend Mohawk College’s Applied Music program, where she studied with Carol McCartney and Bob Shields

Jacob Wutzke

Born: November 18, 1997

Jacob Wutzke is a Montréal/Toronto based drummer, bandleader, author, composer and music educator. Noted for his exceptional technique, creativity and ability to listen and improvise in the moment, he has become an in-demand sideman in the jazz and creative music scenes and continues to compose and perform music regularly.

A staple of the Canadian music scene, he has performed and recorded with Caity Gyorgy, Allison Au, Nick Maclean Quartet, Ira Coleman, Jocelyn Gould, Pat LaBarbera, Sam Kirmayer, Brownman Ali and more. In 2022, Jacob organized a tribute group to the music of Tony Williams which performed and recorded under the direction of Williams' longtime bass player Ira Coleman

Whisky Kisses by Alex Bird & The Jazz Mavericks Available On October 23, 2020

October 7, 2020

Alex Bird is a singer/songwriter and actor from Toronto, Canada. Alex is quickly becoming one of the top new Jazz crooners on the scene. With a swinging style and an indescribable charm, Alex is currently working on an entirely new chapter in the Great American Songbook, with his soon to be released original 11 track debut ...

Jazz-Pop Singer-Songwriter Laura Fernandez New Release - Okay, Alright - Release Date: October 2nd

October 3, 2020

Canadian singer/songwriter, pianist, producer, artist, and JAZZFM.91 Toronto radio producer/host Laura Fernandez is taking the time to “Breathe Life" in this, her new single. An intense, emotional ode to love, its recurrent line 'you breathe life into me' is fervent, and almost prayer-like; Alexander Brown shines with a beautiful, muted trumpet and the overall sense of ...

Heidi Savoie

Born: April 1, 1994

“While she’s able to match Guaraldi’s delicate touch on the ivories, she can also brew a solo like Brubeck, though unlike Brubeck, she cools to a simmer before she gets to a boil. She has Vince’s dexterity and Brubeck’s fire, mating them with her own style.” – Edward Mowinkel of YaLikeJazz.net “…She sent takes that would make Oscar Peterson jealous. I dropped them into the mix and the song came to life.” – Joe Kelly of the Kelly Song Collective “Her magical playing on the piano perfectly matched the romantic ambiance of the night.” – Rubi Karuna Heidi Savoie is a jazz pianist, vocalist, and composer based in Toronto, Canada

Sophia Smith

The Sophia Smith Quartet combines a mixture of traditional jazz elements with original modern jazz compositions. Sophia’s compositions create a unique blend of memorable melodies, lush harmony and improvisation, inspired by the compositions of Kenny Garrett, Chris Potter and Pat Metheny. The bright, yet warm sound of Sophia’s alto saxophone lends to the feel-good vibe of her compositions, which leave audiences uplifted. Listeners often describe the quartet’s music as unique since it appeals to many different musical tastes - it is rooted in the jazz tradition and has a deep exploration of structured and free improvisation, but at the same time, it has a fresh twist that is accessible to music lovers of all kinds due to the intriguing, sing-able melodies and pleasing sonorities

Take Five with Alex Bird

by AAJ Staff
May 3, 2020

Meet Alex Bird Alex Bird is a singer/songwriter and actor in Toronto, ON. With a swinging style and an indescribable charm, Alex and his “Jazz Mavericks" are currently working on an entirely new chapter in the Great American Songbook, with their soon to be released, all original debut album, “Whisky Kisses" (Summer 2020). “The Way She ...

Angela Turone & Chris Platt

Born: June 19, 2010

Angela Turone and Chris Platt are Canadian musicians that have been collaborating since 2014. Angela and Chris met in their hometown, Toronto, while completing their studies in the jazz performance program at the University of Toronto. There, they discovered a common love and appreciation for Brazilian music and came together as an ensemble. With Angela on vocals and piano and Chris on guitar, they seek to explore the diverse and beautiful music of Brazil, performing their creative interpretations of repertoire from the bossa nova, samba and jazz genres. Their 2020, FACTOR-funded album Sounds of Brazil is a reflection of Angela and Chris’ deep interest in Brazilian music and how it intertwines with their jazz roots

Take Five with Bartosz Hadala

by AAJ Staff
May 1, 2020

Meet Bartosz Hadala Bartosz Hadala was born in Stalowa Wola, Poland and started his musical education at the age 7 at the local School of Music. Still as a teenager he participated in competitions, workshops and festivals. He became the youngest finalist in the Mieczyslaw Kosz International Jazz Piano Competition at the age 15. Two years ...